Steering wheel is locked and key will not turn so car will not start. After doing research I have found that this is very common and may even happen again after being repaired - typical cost is $250 - 300..

- Binghamton, NY, USA

Ignition doesn't work, steering wheel locks and ignition cylinder occasionally comes out. Also while driving, the steering wheel fell off. The vehicle overheated when the air condition was turned on, the dealer replaced a pinched wire behind the dash, the air condition was not cool enough, the evaporator core had a leak.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

The steering column has locked up twice states consumer. Cause is unknown.

- Powder Springs, GA, USA

Ignition tumbler breaks and steering wheel locks up. Can not start car. Happened around 29,000 miles first time and 60,000 miles the next time. I also have a problem with the car stalling. Going around corners and up hills it is like the car has run out of gas. You then slow down and it will return to normal. Also happens on the on and off ramps of highways. Very dangerous.

- Kutztown, PA, USA

I beg of you recall this car. It will eventually kill somebody and their children. No safety defect listed.

- Brockton, MA, USA

I have a 2000 Ford Focus ZX3 that has been plagued with steering problems. On 4 separate occasions the steering wheel has locked up while I was in the process of making a left turn. Only after bringing the car to a complete stop, was I able to turn the wheel. After having the car into the shop 3 times, the best the service technicians can tell me is that they are unable to find the problem since it is intermittent in nature. The last time was easily the most frustrating. While making a left turn, the steering wheel became immovable. Unable to stop in time, I ran the right front tire of my vehicle into a curb. This is a repair bill that I had to pay because, according to the service technicians, the problem cannot be traced. While no injuries have resulted from this problem yet, it does have the possibility to become very dangerous and I feel others should be warned.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

While parking on the street without prior warning the steering wheel column turn to the right out of controland the vehicle hit the curb, the dealer is aware of the problem. Nlm

- Oakland, CA, USA

While driving 20-25 mph and making a turn, there was no response, consumer is able to turn wheel 360 degrees. Vehicle was towed to dealer, loose nut in steering column was replaced. On 11 Feb 2002 at 20 mph steering was unresponsive again. Vehicle still at dealership at this time. 2 piece steering column had disconnected. Dealer cannot explain why, does not know how to remedy it. The manufacturer stated that the press fit connection between the shaft and the joint failed due to steering cloumn assembly failure. Also, steering column found retain nut loose causing the air bag light to ill and the horn inoperative.

- Harrisville, RI, USA

While driving 30-35 mph and making a turn the steering wheel locked up, causing loss of vehicle control, cause unknown.

- Luarence, MA, USA

Steering wheel was not maneuverable due to a technical malfunction in steering column. Vehicle failed to start because of steering malfunctioned.

- Altanta, GA, USA

The steering wheel and ignition switch locked up, on another occasion the steering wheel locked up in the right position while the drivr was backing into a driveway, the rear wheel bearings had to be replaced due to road noise, the ignition switch came out of the steering column when the drivers attempted to remove the key from the ignition. Nlm

- Fort Belvior, VA, USA

Windshield had cracked and was replaced, approximately one month later the windshield cracked again in the exact same spot, nothing had hit the windshield on either times that it had cracked. Air conditioner drains inside the car to the drivers side floor. Brakes squeak, dealer replaced rear brake shoes, however noise is still there. Steering wheel was peeling, dealer replaced it. Vehicle will not start at times, dealer reprogrammed the PCM and replaced the fuel pump. Transmission slips into neutral while driving, it will not shift into reverse until after about 10 seconds, dealer has replaced the mlp sensor and transmission range sensor to attempt to correct problem yet it still continues, transmission lines leaking and dealer replaced lines. Noise coming from under the hood. Hood rattled, dealer adjusted and lubed the hood stops. Engine races at times, vehicle hesitates and feels like it is going to stall.

- Lonoke, AR, USA

On Saturday, June 30, 2001, the steering wheel on my 2000 Ford Focus station wagon began to come loose. Specifically, the steering wheel was unresponsive when turned slightly, and was only effective when turned sharply. Then I noticed that the steering wheel was wobbling at the base -- I.e., the point where the steering column entered the dashboard. I drove to ted britt Ford (where we bought the car) and left the car for servicing. On Tuesday, July 3, 2001, the service technician at ted britt (jim kiefer of the brown team) called me to inform me that the steering column had been assembled improperly by the manufacturer. I understood him to explain that the bolts to the steering column had not been sufficiently tightened, and had simply come loose over time. He stated that he had never seen this same problem before. I note that the car has between 19,000 and 20,000 miles on it, and it took approximately one year since we bought the car for this problem to manifest itself. It seems likely that most people who bought 2000 Ford Focus station wagons have not yet put 19,000 + miles on them, so this problem (if general to all or many focuses) may still be latent in many cases. Thank you for your attention to this incident.

- Middleburg, VA, USA

Steering mechanism has locked up, leaving consumer's daughter stranded in Georgia. A dealership was repairing defect, and stated that problem was in coding of key that locked steering up. A specialist has to come in, and decide about locking mechanism. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

- Whiting, IN, USA

Had car 8mths, in shop 6 times never buy a Ford again, never, problems from day one. No safety defect listed in summary.

- Llano, TX, USA

Over a period of about 3 days and 200 miles the steer wheel became loose and increasing as continued to drive. Dealer took wheel apart and tightened.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

While traveling air bag indicator light would flash intermittently. Dealer replaced sterring wheel.

- Dumfries, VA, USA